No snow in forecast, but frigid temperatures

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter.

There’s no white Christmas in the forecast for eastern New Mexico, but forecasters warn today’s Winter Solstice will bring frigid temperatures – near zero at night -- expected to last into the weekend.

The approaching Artic cold front prompted the city of Clovis’ Nixle system to issue a warning that anyone outside could be at risk for frostbite and hypothermia.

Parts of eastern New Mexico could see wind-chill factors of 25-below zero over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service in Albuquerque.

“The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes,” NWS warns.

In the Clovis-Portales area, today’s high is expected to be 58, but a low of 6 degrees is expected by dawn Thursday.

Forecasters warn to expect winds out of the north-northeast at 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Thursday’s high is expected to be only 18 degrees.

Friday morning’s low is forecast to be near zero across the region. The day’s high is expected to be around 20 degrees under a mostly sunny sky.

Saturday is expected to start off around 8 degrees with a daytime high of 33.

A warming trend continues into Christmas Day with a morning low of 16 and a daytime high of 49 degrees.

Forecasters predict little chance of significant moisture through the week.